Who's behind the notes? Discover Fall Out Boy: Biography of the American Rock Band
"Centuries" is a song by the American rock band Fall Out Boy, released as the lead single from their sixth studio album, "American Beauty/American Psycho," in 2014. Here are some interesting facts about the song and the band:
Chart Success: "Centuries" was a massive commercial success for Fall Out Boy. It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it their fourth top-10 hit and one of their highest-charting singles at the time.
Lyric Inspiration: The song's lyrics were inspired by a line from the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee. The line is "And I will play it over and over and over again until I get it right."
Sampled Track: "Centuries" prominently features a sample of Suzanne Vega's song "Tom's Diner." The distinctive "doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo" melody in the chorus is borrowed from Vega's 1987 hit.
Cultural References: The song's lyrics and music video are full of references to historical and pop culture figures, including the story of "The Mighty Fall" (a reference to the band's own song), King Tutankhamun, and the Mona Lisa.
Music Video: The music video for "Centuries" was directed by Syndrome and features the band performing in a gladiator-style arena while scenes from the life of the "champion" play out. The video has a cinematic quality and tells a visually compelling story.
Cultural Impact: "Centuries" became an anthem for many sports events and was frequently used in promotional materials for sports broadcasts. It also appeared in various commercials and video games, further increasing its cultural impact.
Live Performances: Fall Out Boy often includes "Centuries" in their live performances, and it has become one of their signature songs, often performed as part of their encore.
Certifications: The song has been certified multi-platinum in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, attesting to its widespread popularity.
Grammy Nomination: "Centuries" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
Resurgence of Pop Punk: "Centuries" played a significant role in the resurgence of pop punk and alternative rock in the mid-2010s, helping bring the genre back into the mainstream.
"Centuries" remains one of Fall Out Boy's most recognizable and enduring songs, contributing to their status as one of the leading bands in the pop punk and alternative rock scenes.